Born in the south east of Ireland, Simon put his life-long love of football to good use when he started a successful independent blog in 2010. That opened up an alternative route to a career in journalism, and having had work published across a number of sites and publications, Simon joined the staff at Spotlight Sports Group in 2018.
Football fans were treated to cracking consignment of continental football last week as the Champions League and Europa League took centre stage, though domestic matters reclaim the spotlight in the latest midweek fixture programme.
With action to look forward to across a number of Europe’s most exciting leagues, we’ve combed through the schedule to pluck out the most compelling contests coming to your screens this week.
Don’t forget, you can see in-depth analysis of these games and more in our latest football predictions and you can find the rest of our football accumulators here.
Daily TV games accumulator
Tuesday – Manchester City vs Wolves (Premier League)
Where to watch: BT Sport 1 (20:00)
Manchester City have disappeared over the horizon in the Premier League title race, and their incredible 14 game winning streak in the division was accompanied by ten clean sheets. Wolves have looked low on cutting edge this term without injured star striker Raul Jimenez, and they could struggle to lay a glove on the league’s meanest defence at the Etihad Stadium.
Key stats:
- Manchester City have won to nil in ten of their last 14 Premier League matches.
- Wolves have scored just 27 goals in 26 Premier League games this season.
- Manchester City have only conceded 16 goals in 26 league fixtures this term.
Betting tip: Manchester City win to nil at 4/6
Wednesday – Barcelona vs Sevilla (Copa del Rey)
Where to watch: Premier Sports 1 (20:00)
All eyes will be on Camp Nou to see if Barcelona can overturn a 2-0 semi-final first-leg deficit against cup specialists Sevilla in the Copa del Rey. The hosts are expected to chase goals from the first whistle on Wednesday and that in turn could lead to a real entertaining slugfest in Catalonia.
Key stats:
- Both teams have scored in seven of Barcelona’s last ten fixtures.
- Barcelona have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine home matches.
- Sevilla have scored at least once in 14 of their last 15 away assignments.
Betting tip: Both teams to score at 7/10
Thursday – Liverpool vs Chelsea (Premier League)
Where to watch: Sky Sports Main Event (20:15)
Both Liverpool and Chelsea have fallen well below expectations this season, and instead of meeting as title challengers on Thursday, the sides will arrive at Anfield needing points to power their pursuit of a top-four finish. Can Thomas Tuchel get the better of his compatriot Jurgen Klopp on Merseyside?
Key stats:
- Liverpool have scored just one goal in their last five home league games combined.
- Chelsea are unbeaten in nine fixtures since Thomas Tuchel’s appointment.
- Liverpool have failed to win any of their last six home league assignments.
Betting tip: Chelsea double chance at 4/7
Friday – Schalke 04 vs Mainz 05 (Bundesliga)
Where to watch: BT Sport 2 (19:30)
The Bundesliga’s bottom two face off in Gelsenkirchen as Schalke host Mainz, and with the host’s chances of survival all but extinguished, the visitor’s need for victory is much greater. Mainz took seven points from the last 12 on offer and Die Nullfünfer could drag themselves out of the bottom three with another win on Friday.
Key stats:
- Mainz have avoided defeat in three of their last four Bundesliga matches.
- Schalke 04 have won only one Bundesliga game all season.
- Mainz were unbeaten in three of their last four meetings with Schalke 04.
Betting tip: Mainz 05 to win at 21/20
Saturday – Juventus vs Lazio (Serie A)
Where to watch: Premier Sports 2 (19:45)
Juventus and Lazio have been hitting plenty of bumps in the road of late, though both teams will fancy their chances of claiming three points at the other’s expense in Turn. Encounters between the sides have produced plenty of action in recent seasons and another captivating contest is in store on Saturday evening.
Key stats:
- Both teams have scored in each of the last five meetings between Juventus and Lazio.
- Juventus have only kept one clean sheet in their last four fixtures.
- Both teams have notched in eight of Lazio’s last ten away assignments.
Betting tip: Both teams to score at 4/6
Sunday – Manchester City vs Manchester United (Premier League)
Where to watch: Sky Sports Main Event (16:30)
City feature for the second time in our list of unmissable TV games, and we just couldn’t leave out Sunday’s Manchester Derby at the Etihad. United are the division’s only unbeaten team on the road this season, though that proud record could tumble against their dominant city rivals.
Key stats:
- Manchester City have tasted defeat just twice in the Premier League this season.
- Manchester City beat United 2-0 when the teams last met in January.
- Manchester City hold the league’s strongest home record this term.
Betting tip: Manchester City to win at 8/15
